Anyone build their own bass?

I'm thinking of building one from parts from warmoth. I was just wondering if anyone else had done this. If you have build your own bass tell me stories, tips and what-not. Also what kind of budget do you think I can get away with.

I didn't do a Warmoth, but I did build a bass using a Signature Jazz body off ebay along with a Mighty Mite fretless neck. The body was complete with pickups, controls, pickguard, etc. All I had to do was mount the neck, install tuners and string retainer, and set it all up. I'm real pleased with the result.

I've done two of these projects, and like you was a complete novice before the first one. They've both turned out really well.

My top tips would be...

-Plan every single step and think hard before doing any little thing.
-Practice any tricky bits (drilling, soldering, etc) on something else before you touch your expensive bass bits!
-Read up as much as you can about each aspect, you'd be amazed how some time on Google can save expensive mistakes.
-Talk to (or email) people in the know. You may not have friends who make guitars, but you may well know people who are good with wood/electrics/DIY and so on. Their knowledge and help can be invaluable. I also found people like John East at J-Retro and Carey Nordstrand really helpful, as well as lots of other TBers. Thanks guys!
-Keep tools and other metal objects well away from wood when you're not actually using them. Understand that your bass loves soft surfaces, pamper it!
-Be prepared to take as long as you need, don't rush (the temptation to do this gets stronger when it's nearly finished). :scowl:
-NO detail is too small for careful consideration. Remember the golden rule... most of the work should be done in your head before you touch the actual bass.

The main differences between you and a master craftsman are knowledge and experience. Anything you can do to boost your knowledge or take advantage of other people's experience will help avoid errors. Don't take chances, only go ahead with each step when you're totally confident that you're ready to do it right. If you follow this advice you should get a lot of pleasure out of the process and the result. Best of luck with it!

I didn't do a Warmoth, but I did build a bass using a Signature Jazz body off ebay along with a Mighty Mite fretless neck. The body was complete with pickups, controls, pickguard, etc. All I had to do was mount the neck, install tuners and string retainer, and set it all up. I'm real pleased with the result.

Total cost was less than $400. Let me know if you have any questions.

Shannon

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Like you, I chose to put together a 62 RI body, Early 80s Jazz neck, with a J-Retro unit. Sounds like a million bucks and total cost was somewhere in the neighborhood of $600.

Just over two years ago I specd out a complete bass from Warmoth. 51 Fender P slab body in butterscotch blonde with a tele style maple neck and split P pickup (surprisingly similar to the Fender Mike Dirnt bass now available). When it was all said and done the cost was going to be over $1200. I got lucky though, someone had one for sale in the classifieds for just under half of what I was going to spent not to mention that it was already assembled and set up. Granted I didn't get to choose the exact color I wanted, but I think I like what I got (dark maroon) more. Plus it came with a case.